to capture Zhending but were unable to succeed. On 29 August, the Yan forces withdrew back to Beiping. Gu Cheng was sent back to Beiping to assist Zhu Gaochi with the defense of the city. Second offensive As the news of Geng Bingwen's defeat reached back to Nanjing, the Jianwen Emperor became increasingly concerned about the war. Li Jinglong was proposed by Huang Zicheng as the new commander, and the proposal was accepted despite opposition from Qi Tai. On 30 August, Li Jinglong led a total of 500,000 men and advanced to Hejian. As the news reached the Yan camp, Zhu Di was certain of a Yan victory by outlining the weaknesses of Li Jinglong. Defense of Beiping On 1 September, government forces from Liaodong began to lay siege to the city of Yongping. Zhu Di led the Yan forces to reinforce the city on 19 September and defeated the Liaodong forces by 25 September. Following the victory, Zhu Di decided to raid the city of Daning controlled by Prince of Ning in order to annex his army. The Yan forces reached Daning on 6 October, and Zhu Di went inside the city. He was able to coerce the Prince of Ning and the troops in Daning to submit to him, and the strength of the Yan forces increased significantly. Upon learning that Zhu Di was away in Daning, the government forces led by Li Jinglong crossed Lugou Bridge and began to attack Beiping. However, Zhu Gaochi was able to hold off the attacks. On one occasion, the government forces almost broke into the city, but the attack was held back by a suspicious Li Jinglong. The temperature in Beiping is sub-zero during the month of October, and the Yan defenders poured water on the city walls at nightfall. As the walls were covered in ice the next day, the government forces were prevented from scaling the walls. The government forces were composed of soldiers from the south, and they were unable to sustain their attack in the cold weather. Battle of Zhengcunba On 19 October, the Yan forces gathered in Huizhou and began its march back to Beiping. By 5 November, the Yan forces were in the outskirts of Beiping and defeated the scout forces of Li Jinglong. The main army of each side engaged in Zhengcunba for a major battle in the same day, and the forces of